Savior

The Girl at Dinner

But, she doesn't push me away.

As soon as we turn the corner and are visible to the kitchen, Jaime's eyes fall on my hand hidden behind Layla and although I know I'm doing nothing wrong, I drop it weakly and instead take the cake from her hands.

"My favorite employee!"

"Encyclopedia Layla!"

Both Niall and Eliza jump at the chance to greet Layla and I have never felt more disturbed by how in sync they truly are. Layla looks slightly freaked as Eliza pulls her into a light hug, but it's when Niall tries to swoop in for a kiss on the cheek that she flinches away harshly.

Instantly, her face matches her hair.

"Sorry," She laughs extremely embarrassed and Eliza elbows Niall harshly in the ribs as we all watch the awkward exchange. Niall settles for a friendly smile -having remembered how hesitant Layla is towards touch- just as she gathers herself to make a joke, "I'm a germaphobe, remember?"

I snort at the reminder of the lame excuse I gave Niall for why Layla didn't like to be touched and it's only then that I notice Jaime watching us from a far, excluded from the group and wearing a small frown.

I quickly dismiss everyone for dinner at the small table next to the kitchen as Niall and Eliza begin to serve the food. This time, I don't have to make an uncomfortable choice between the girls. Instead, I take a seat at the head of the table: Jaime on my left, Layla on my right, and Niall and Eliza across from each other.

"This isn't as good as your macaroni casserole. But I am fairly impressed." Layla jokes as she shovels another forkful into her mouth.

I cover up my small smile by sipping my wine glass and I know the others can see my red cheeks, because that is surely my favorite memory of Layla and I -right behind just a few mornings ago sitting on her bathroom floor.

"So, Layla, how long have you lived here?" Jaime cuts in and I know she has been waiting to ask her because of how fidgety and guarded she has been. Yet, she still refuses to mention Layla in front me in order to not cause a scene.

"About three months."

"You're obviously American, but you have a different kind of accent. Where are you from?"

"New York. The Bronx."

"Why'd you move?" The question is innocent, but everyone at the table tenses because we all know not to get too personal with Layla (because of her mysterious past), but Jaime never got that memo.

Layla's expression remains stoic and if it wasn't for the way her hands begin to tremble so hard she can't even hold her fork, you would think Jaime asked her about the weather. Jaime waits patiently, with an innocent expression on her face, as Layla clears her throat and meets her gaze.

"Just needed a change is all."

It's the first I've heard of any kind of reason for moving, but much too vague to pull anything from it. Though, it doesn't stop Jaime's nosy nature.

She nods her head, but isn't finished with her interrogation, "Don't you miss your friends and family?"

Layla's knuckles go white from her grip on her fork, "Don't have a family. Never really had any good friends."

Jaime finally shuts her mouth and flushes in embarrassment of bringing up such a touchy subject, but Layla just goes back to eating casually. From the end of the table Eliza flashes me a glare -eyes darting from Jaime to Layla in a silent plead to end the tension.

Unfortunately, this situation is a bit out of my league. Layla and Jaime are both looking into their food now and refusing to speak again and this is not going well. Eliza, thankfully, notices my struggle and rolls her eyes before clapping her hands together to gather the table's attention.